Christine Dimmick

Cut the Cupboard Clutter

August 26 - Sarah Ashlock

Entrepreneurship

FIRST THOUGHT: To Clean or Not to Clean?

Keeping your home clean can feel like you’re one of those hamsters on a wheel. It’s not a one-and-done task. You clean and clean and clean and then you die. You can’t do it all but you can do something. Here are some ideas: clean the porch lights. Yeah, you forgot those existed, right? Wash your curtains or any other fabric item. Your allergies will thank you. Collect your herb bounty and store accordingly. Pesto, anyone? Make sure your glassware is in tip-top shape and shake yourself up a watermelon mojito. You deserve it.

WOMEN IN NUMBERS:62

Another task to add to your to-do list: go through that place under your sink. You’ll find out things about yourself, like you really love to buy new sponges and have enough to pawn off on your future grandkids. You’ll also want to take a glance at the ingredients list and get ready to Google. Some cleaning products can have as many as 62 toxic chemicals. Some top words to know: phthalates, triclosan and perchloroethylene. If there’s no list to be found, look for some obvious clues like the word “warning” or “danger.”

WOMAN TO WATCH: Christine Dimmick, Founder & CEO of The Good Home Company

Some of these chemicals have been found to disrupt hormones and cause ecological devastation. With every five-syllable word, transforming your cleaning routine from toxic to safe can feel absolutely overwhelming. Christine Dimmick provides a one-stop shop for changing your mindset and your home into a safe, clean oasis.

Christine started The Good Home Company nearly a quarter of a century ago. That’s right, in the mid-90s Christine was one of the pioneers of a slow-growing movement to banish chemicals in favor of more natural products. A couple years ago, she authored her first book called Detox Your Home, which helps everyday people like you and me transition into a more environmentally friendly habitat.

The Good Home Company grew from something, well, not good at all. Christine was diagnosed with breast cancer and wanted to tackle all ugly aspects of her life. She landed in her kitchen, the heart of the home and also the hotspot for toxic goods. It’s been years since those early days and The Good Home Company still offers vegetable-based products free of chemicals.

Candles, all-purpose cleaner, bug repellent, you name it; The Good Home Company’s got it. Fragrances like lavender and their famous “Beach Days” scent give you all the satisfying feels when busting your booty wiping down counters and doing your fourth load of laundry.

Celebs like Madonna and Oprah are fans of these products, which, by the way, come in biodegradable packaging. Raised in Ohio, Christine’s now a New Yorker through and through. She says the name of her biz name came from her grandparents whose home was always something special.

Christine studied advertising and design. She certainly didn’t set out with a clean-the-world mission. Not only is she reaching homebodies, Christine also consults with hotels and businesses to improve their impact. The transformation to rid your house of hazardous stuff isn’t overnight. It’s a process but one Christine believes is well worth the time and investment.

QUITE THE QUOTE

Susan Fales-Hill said:

"If you're too comfortable, it's time to move on. Terrified of what's next? You're on the right track."